Highland Captive (COMPLETED)

Chapter Seven

Arabela

I woke up feeling refreshed, I had a plan. I had to befriend them to give chance so I may escape here and go back to my hometown, we only travelled for almost two days, If I just knew the way I would try and plan my escape well. I rummaged through the clothes in the chest and found a trouser, it was small probably for a small child but thank god it fit me. I decided to use it instead of the dresses that were there, some were actually house dresses from our place, I wonder who owned it. I tucked my chemise in the trousers and decided to go down and check the house. I was used having a handmaiden around but I was very lucky that my handmaiden taught me to be independent as well, she taught me how to cook, sew, clean, do basic household chores also at some point she taught me gardening. I missed Nina, and I knew I won't get to see her again.

I opened the door and to my surprise Connor's door flew open too, he was now wearing a different set of trouser and was wearing brown men's shirt. His hair was untied and his eyebrows rose as he saw me stare. Instantly, I averted my gaze to the room behind him, I saw a woman sleeping on the huge bed and before I could see more he shut his door.

"Come with me." He simply said then started to march down, I followed after him and he led me down to what seemed like their living room then to the left was an open kitchen. A woman was busy moving here and there and she stopped when she felt our presence.

"Agatha, this is..." he looked at me.

"Arabela."

"Ah yes, Arabela. See to it she helps in the house, if you have time take her outside and show her the town or something." He instructed, and the dazzled Agatha just nodded. Then, he left.

Agatha did not say anything but she quickly tended to the fire, putting more firewood over a pot of boiling water.

"Uhm, can I help?" I said then went to her side.

She glared at me still not talking, she shoved me a sack of potatoes and put a knife on top of it. Then she pointed at the table.

Is she mute?

I left the sack of potatoes and faced her.

"Hi, I know you don't know me but I want to be a friend."

She stared at me for a while then just nodded curtly.

"How much of these shall I peel?" I asked while she was busy slicing meat on her side of the kitchen. She did not respond so I decided to ask again.

"Agatha?" And she still did not respond. I went near her and held her arm, then she looked at me quizzically. I had a mute friend back in town and she taught me sign languages, we often communicated with her through that, so I knew I can talk to her.

I signed, how many do I have to slice. Then her eyes grew wide.

You can sign? She faced me with astonishment.

Yes, I had a friend like you.

Then in an instant her face lit up.

"You cannot hear sometimes?" I asked her out loud. She followed my mouth and signed.

I can hear some times, but mostly I read the lips.

"Wow, you're amazing." I said and I saw her blush.

She can read mouths, not a lot of people can do that.

So, how are you related to Connor? I asked, pointing at the door where he just left.

He took me in, I am a servant to his house, he saved me when I was young.

I asked her to repeat it and slowly since I still was not a master of it but I put on the signs she was doing.

Saved her? Why would Connor do that, he was a vile man.

I just shrugged and asked her again, "How many potatoes should I peel?"

She showed her hands and I understood it to be 10. Before, I sat on my part, I asked her age.

And she opened both her hands, then closed the other one.

"Fifteen?" I asked and she nodded. She was too young, but she was already looking like my age.

"Okay. Nice to meet you Agatha." I said then went to do my job. That morning we basically prepared breakfast, I did not know how many were to eat, but we prepared a lot. I heard commotion outside and I decided to check for a while.

There was a long table outside and was covered by a canopy, probably to prevent from the rain. I just noticed that Connor's house was quite big and just like our home, he had a wide front yard. I felt somebody tuck my shirt and I see Agatha holding a pot. She gestured, tipping her head to the side, pointing at the table outside where the men are gathering. She walked past me and I understood what she said. I got the plates cups and cutleries we prepared earlier and walked outside, the men were eyeing me, probably unaware of who I was, only Brochan was the familiar face I saw and he just gave rolled his eyes on me. What is his problem with me? The other men just kept silent though. We brought everything out leaving some bowls of what seemed to be chicken stew and rice for us to eat.

I saw Connor sit down in the front of the table before I went inside, he was the last to sit down then they proceeded to eat. Agatha pulled me down to eat at the kitchen table. We were conversing when I hear footsteps come down from above only to see the woman Connor was with last night.

I heard Agatha snicker beside me and she put on an annoyed expression.

The woman went down and stared at me, but released a sarcastic chuckle and went outside. I just shrugged it off and focused on my breakfast with Agatha.